The political landscape in Tanzania is roiling with tension and international scrutiny in the wake of the country’s disputed October 29, 2025, elections—a contest that saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan claim a landslide victory amid allegations of widespread repression, violence, and a crackdown on dissent. The aftermath has sparked a cascade of diplomatic rebukes, social media controversies, and human rights concerns that threaten to upend Tanzania’s standing on the world stage.
On December 4, 2025, the United States Department of State took the unusual step of announcing a comprehensive review of its long-standing partnership with Tanzania. According to State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott, the U.S. is alarmed by the Tanzanian government’s “ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech, and the presence of persistent obstacles to U.S. investment.” Pigott underscored that “disturbing violence against civilians in the days leading up to and following Tanzania’s October 29 elections” had put American citizens, tourists, and U.S. interests at risk. The statement was clear: the future of bilateral relations “will be based on [the Tanzanian government’s] actions.”
The U.S. isn’t alone in its concern. Just days prior, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the post-election killings and the deteriorating human rights situation, including the detention of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Lissu, who faces treason charges, has been a vocal critic of President Samia’s administration, with his party CHADEMA blaming the government for the deaths of over 2,000 people—a figure authorities dismiss as “hugely exaggerated.” Nevertheless, the scale of unrest has prompted lawyers and human rights activists to petition the International Criminal Court to investigate President Samia for alleged crimes against humanity, including summary executions, disappearances, sexual violence, torture, and the displacement of Maasai communities.
Adding to the chorus of concern, Ghana’s foreign ministry issued a rare public rebuke on December 4, 2025, urging Tanzanian authorities to ensure accountability, due process, and protection of civic freedoms. Ghana’s statement, aligning with calls from the African Union, Commonwealth, and United Nations, stressed the need for “a fair, inclusive and equitable process” to prevent further instability. The intervention is notable; African governments seldom censure each other so openly, reflecting a growing unease as images of street clashes, deaths, and mass arrests continue to circulate across the continent.
At the heart of the unrest is the government’s aggressive response to dissent, both on the streets and online. On December 3, 2025, Tanzanian police issued a nationwide protest ban ahead of planned demonstrations for Independence Day on December 9. Authorities framed the planned protests as a continuation of the October 29 unrest, warning that anyone attempting to participate would be arrested. The crackdown has been accompanied by mass SMS alerts, heightened security, and targeted detentions of high-profile figures, including university lecturer Professor Rasel Mpuya Madaha and activists Edwin Richard Mboro and Victor Bonaventure Ndibalema.
While the government has moved to release some detainees—most notably, celebrity businesswoman Jennifer Jovin (‘Niffer’) and activist Mika Chavala, who were freed after President Samia directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop treason charges against 607 individuals—the crackdown on opposition voices continues. The presidential initiative, announced on November 18, 2025, aims to review the cases of youths arrested during the unrest, with a target of 1,736 suspects expected to be released out of the 2,045 arrested nationwide.
President Samia herself has taken a defiant stance. In a major address on December 2, 2025, she described the October 29 events not as protests, but as a “riot” orchestrated to topple the government. She staunchly defended the actions of security forces, asking rhetorically, “What would less force have looked like?” and dismissed claims that economic grievances were the root cause of the unrest. Instead, she pointed to a lack of patriotism and alleged foreign interference. “Who are you?… They still think they are our masters, that they are our colonizers,” she said, rebuking international criticism and warning religious leaders about their commentary.
Meanwhile, the digital frontlines have become a battleground of their own. On December 5, 2025, Meta suspended the Instagram accounts of prominent Tanzanian activists Mange Kimambi and Maria Sarungi Tsehai after they posted images of violent crackdowns on election protests. Kimambi, who boasts nearly three million followers and is based in the U.S., accused the Tanzanian government of pressuring Meta to silence dissent. “For months, I used my platforms to highlight these issues and consistently encouraged PEACEFUL protests, as many Tanzanians feel there is no safe alternative for expressing dissent,” she said in a statement. Meta justified the suspensions by citing its “policy against recidivism” and legal orders from Tanzanian regulators, while Tanzania’s Attorney-General Hamza Johari called for Kimambi’s arrest and extradition, accusing her of directing protests from abroad.
Kimambi’s activism, which began during the presidency of the late John Magufuli, has made her both a symbol of resistance and a lightning rod for criticism. She faces charges of economic sabotage in Tanzania, accused of money laundering and working as a journalist without accreditation—a case she has dismissed as “cooked” and politically motivated. Her critics accuse her of using offensive language and incitement, while supporters argue she’s one of the few voices bringing attention to abuses that might otherwise go unreported.
The government’s narrative, however, is unwavering. President Samia and her officials have repeatedly denied blocking opposition participation in the election, attributing the absence of key opponents like Tundu Lissu to internal party issues or legal technicalities. The president’s overwhelming 97% vote share, she explained, was “97% of those who voted.” Authorities have also intensified efforts to control the narrative, issuing protest bans and warning of arrests for those who defy them, as the nation braces for further demonstrations.
Internationally, the stakes are high. The U.S. and European Union have hinted at potential consequences, including aid freezes and a reassessment of diplomatic ties, should the Tanzanian government fail to address the growing list of grievances. Ghana’s rare public rebuke, coupled with calls for impartial investigations from the African Union and United Nations, signals a shift in regional attitudes toward accountability and civic freedoms.
For ordinary Tanzanians, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty. As diplomatic pressure mounts and the government doubles down on its position, the path forward is anything but clear. Will international condemnation and the threat of aid freezes force meaningful change, or will the government’s resolve only harden in the face of outside criticism? For now, the world is watching—and waiting—as Tanzania stands at a crossroads between repression and reform.
